[quote=""Brenna""]I thought this whole thing very interesting and while I absolutely adore Kate, I tend to agree with some of Mantel's observations. Before anyone throws a tomato at my head, let me explain!
Let's face it, the Royals faced a very difficult situation in the 80's and again in the 90's when the Queen's sons didn't choose what we would consider "royal wives." Fergie and Diana seemed hell bent on bucking the system and could care less the negative backlash the Royal family as a whole received.
There is no doubt in my mind that the children of Diana and Fergie and others watched and learned and were told in no uncertain terms that this will not be tolerated again.
Hence, when Kate's path crossed Williams, he had to be thinking in the back of his head-what kind of person/character is this and will she fit into the appropriate mold?
Obviously Kate passed the test when she and William broke up-she didn't create a firestorm, she didn't cry in public-she raised her chin and went about her day. That left an impression and it became obvious that she would fit into the "acceptable" role of Duchess/Princess.
This observation that Kate is the stepford wife of William isn't completely unfounded but I don't think it is as negative as Mantel makes it out to be. What Mantel takes out of the equation is that Kate chose this life-she chose her role and when she accepted William's proposal, she accepted that her personality and life would be completely altered. Rather than going on women's lit on her, let's remember that many, many women fought for the right of choice and that regardless of what choice they make, they were given options.
Kudos to Kate for making what had to be a rather difficult choice and for rising above very painful and public assaults on her privacy.[/quote]
I'm throwing no tomatoes so you dont have to duck
lol. I didn't like the way HM spoke about Catherine, there was a self satisfied catty element in her speech, but I also think she was being deliberate in her choice of words and that many of the press would not
'get' the irony.
That said I feel that the Royals have so little privacy that they can appear
'plastic' in public with the smiles and collecting posies...But they are not political figures or human right activists...So Kate and also William will not be hugging trees or staging some type of
'bed-in's' for peace.
I also think that Kate has shown much courage in marrying William....I mean this is a young woman who will no longer be able to shop with anonymity...Who won't be able to walk out her front door without being stalked by photographers. If she goes on private holidays so the press will follow her. Anyone who works for her will be offered bribes and also her friends to tell tales out of school...Going to the movies incognito will be almost nigh impossible and then there are the phones....Now they can't even use the phone without wondering if someone is
'listening.' I haven't even touched on the crack pots who might endanger her life...I would never choose that life...So in her own way Kate has shown much courage in marrying William for love alone.
Bec
